Does anyone else feel really rubbish about themselves at the moment?

[Rainbowb]

Just can’t snap out of it at the moment. It’s not helping that my Mum friends are all so amazing at everything - one has started her own sewing business and is doing so well, another has got a book published, they all seem to be able to bake amazing cakes and they look fabulous too. I used to find it all inspiring but now it just feels depressing and overwhelming. I am terrible at sewing and baking, I’m in a dead end job and have gained loads of weight lately. It takes all my energy just to get through each day and I will never do anything remarkable. I thought I was at least a good parent but today my neighbour was making remarks about my poor dd being an only child in lockdown etc etc so now I feel like I’m shit at that too. I know this is shameless self pity but I guess misery loves company so I just wanted to know is anyone else struggling with low self esteem at the moment? Please be kind x

I feel the same! Thought seei some friends would perk me up today but the conversation was all about diets (I’ve put on weight) and money (I don’t have any) and the advantage of small age gaps between children (I also have an only) I left feeling so much worse abs have been in bits all afternoon, even though I know it’s stupid to compare.

I hope you feel a bit better soon op

I have had a few weeks feeling a bit like this, I started a post about things which make you happy, I am trying to do stuff for me.

Maybe the neighbour was just sympathising, thinking what a hard time it is for kids. I'm sure they didn't mean it as a slight on your parenting.

It's a horrible time op. Just getting through is good enough. Be kind to yourself.

Please don't define your worth based on your ability to sew and bake. I am sure there are plenty of things that you can do that your friends can't.

Yeah I know she didn’t mean it but I guess she hit a nerve. I do feel guilt about having an only even though she has a lovely life and we have fun and do nice things.

Sounds like you have you child as your priority so she is very lucky and you are not a rubbish mother.

I have an only.
I sometimes feel guilty, especially during lockdown, but there are upsides to being an only as well!
In fact she has started coming out with comments recently about how much she DOESN'T want a younger sibling! Apparently her friend's younger siblings are "really annoying" and me and dh "would want to cuddle the baby and I wouldn't get as many cuddles..."
She definitely enjoys the attention of being an only, and homeschooling would have been an awfulot harder with more than one!

Be kind to yourself and try not to compare to yourself much to others.

Ime comments like that are meant for the best and are a way of trying to show a bit of solidarity. I can imagine if you had two or three the neighbour might say, "Bet they are driving one another mad in this awful lockdown!"

(I was one of many and vowed never to do that to mine!) I bet you and she have a lovely life op. Good luck to you both. X

Me too op.

I was worried it might be depression rearing it's ugly head again but I think it's maybe a result of lockdown.

I too have put on loads of weight and think this week I'm going to try to do something about it.

Remember that comparison is the thief of joy. You're doing the best for your family and that's all that matters.

Yes, I am. I feel so fed up with everything at the moment. The kids only want to watch YouTube or play Minecraft. Any suggestions I make result in an argument. I am ‘the fat one’ out of the school mums and I hate it. I feel so massive next to them all. We also seem to have less money than our friends and i find it depressing that everyone has bigger houses, better holidays etc than us. I know I should be happy with my lot, but I’m finding it difficult at the moment.

Yes. I feel like shit today - in fact I’ve not got out of bed yet as I can’t face the day. DH and I had a big row last night as I’m miserable, overweight and worried about money at the moment.